Turret control



Feb. 2, 1943. w TUCKER 2,309,998

TURRET CONTROL I Filed April 22 1940 -s Sheets-Shet 1 35 34 WiE/VK ram 5e M w W Feb. 2; 1943. I w TUCKER I 2,309,998

TURRET CONTROL Filed April 22, 1940 :s Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-- 4 as 79 77 a 69 I 5 6 FIB-.5 E -73 I I a Imam/7v? MPPE/VP. WE! 5Y4: a p: 2 m,

Feb. 2, 1943. w R TUCKER 2,309,998

TURRET CONTROL Filed April 22, 1940 3 Sheets-Smet 3 INVENMP Wake/51v e RICA [K Patented Feb. 2, 1943 TURRET CONTROL Warren R. Tucker, Dayton, Ohio, asslgnor to The Hydraulic Development Corp. Inc., Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application April 22, 1940, Serial No. 330,870

15 Claims.

This invention relates to presses and press control systems, and in particular to turret presses .having rotary turrets for feeding thework-pieces to the press.

One object of this invention is to provide 5 Another object is to provide a turret press in which the turret may be hydraulically lifted ofi its working position, thereafter hydraulically rotated by a predetermined angle and then hydraulically lowered into another working posi-- tion.

,above character in which the shifting movement of the turret is controlled by a hydraulic motor. A still further object of the invention is to provide a turret press in which the shifting g5 movement of the turret from one working position to another working position is controlled by a hydraulic motor; which once started on its 2 Another object is to provide a press of the cycle controls valvemeans for determining the proper sequence of the movements of the turret during a shifting movement from one working position to another working position.

It is a still further object of the invention to provides. turret press in which the shifting movement of the turret from one working position to another working position is efiected by a hydraulic motor, the cycle of which is initiated by closing an electric circuit and in which the said hydraulic motor, during its cycle; controls of the motor movements.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a turret press in which the shifting movement of the turret from one working position to another working position is controlled by a hydraulic motor which may be micromatically adjusted for the exactly desired shitting movement of the turret.

Another object of the invention is to provide a turret press in which the various movements oi the turret are timed automatically in a predetermined sequence without the-necessity for attention thereto by the operator, or the dependence upon his judgement, such movements including lifting of the turret oi! the press bed,

saidelectric circuit for determining the sequence 40 its rotation, its lowering upon the press bed and the locking of the turret.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1- is a perspective view of a hydraulic press in which the turret is rotatable between the strain rods of the press.

Figure 2 is a sectionthrough the lower portion of the press of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section along the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section along the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 shows, on a somewhat larger scale, the

upper portion of Figure 4, in which however the centrally arranged valve rod is rotated by Figure 6 shows a hydraulic and electric control 0 circuit for the turret press according to the present invention. 1

Figure 7 illustrates a detail of the controlling mechanism cooperating with the electric circuit shown inFigure 6.

GENERAL ARRANGEMENT In general, the turret press of the present invention consists of a press frame having a bed and a head interconnected by strain rods. The turret is normally supported upon the bed of the press during the pressing operation, but is raised from the press bed during its rotating or indexing operation. After the indexing operation is completed, the turret is brought to rest again upon the press bed. The lifting and indexing operation of the turret is eiiected by means of a hydraulic motor which comprises a plurality of cylinder piston assemblies, one of which eflects the lifting and lowering movement'of the turret, whereas another cylinder piston assembly causes the rotating movement of the turret.

According to the present invention, the lifting cylinder piston assembly first spaces the turret; from the press bed, then is rotated together with the turret by another cylinder piston assembly, whereafter it is lowered to seat the turret again on the press bed, and finally is rotated by means of the other piston cylinder assembly to its initial position so as to be ready for a new cycle.

The movements and sequence of movements of j the hydraulic motor for carrying out the indexing movement or the turret, is controlled by valve means which may be arranged in an electric circuit controlled, in its turn, by movements of the hydraulic motor.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the turret press of this invention, which includes a press head 10, and a press bed il interconnected by strain rods l2 with nuts I3 threaded upon the ends thereof, four strain rods l2 being provided between which a turret assembly, generally designated i4, is arranged. Reciprocably mounted upon the strain rods 12 is a platen I connected, by any convenient means, to the main pressing plunger or press ram H5. The main plunger 16 may be reciprocated in any conventional manner, and is adapted to carry an upper die cooperating with a lower die to be mounted in the die receiving members l1 arranged on the turret along a circle.

The turret 14 which normally rests upon the press bed II and is locked thereon, for instance by means of holding pins 18, has a central bore 19 in which is mounted a bearing 20 connected with the turret 14 by screws 2|. The bearing 28 has an inner stepped bore 22 in which is mounted a bushing 23 slidably guiding the shaft portion 24 of the lifting plunger, generally designated 25. The lifting plunger 25 comprises, below the shaft portion 24, a splined portion 25 having rotatably connected therewith a clutch member 21 with jaws 28 adapted to engage correspondingly shaped recesses 29 provided at the lower end of the bearing 20.

The lifting plunger 25 further comprises an enlarged portion 38 slidable in a bushing 3| rigidly connected with a hollow arm 32. The hollow arm 32 comprises a cylinder bore 33 closed at its lower end by a closure member 34 and adapted to be connected with a fluid source by means of a bore 35 in the closure member 34.

Reciprocably mounted in the cylinder bore 33 is a double-acting piston 38 adapted to be moved upwardly by introduction of fluid through the bore 35, while its downward movement is effected by introduction of fluid through the bore 31 in the cylinder wall of the hollow arm 32. Adjacent the upper portion of the hollow arm 32 and below the splined portion 26. packing material 38 compressed by a gland 39 is provided for preventing leakage from the cylinder bore 33. Leakage between the lower bore 32 and the closure member 34 is prevented by a gasket 40 mounted therebetween.

The lifting plunger 25 further comprises, ad- Jacent the lower end of the enlarged portion 30, a stop ring 4i adapted to engage the step 42 at the lower end of the bushing 38 for restricting the upward movement of the plunger 25. Between the enlarged portion 30 and the doubleacting piston 35, a segment gear 43 is rotatably connected to the lifting plunger 25, for instance, by means of a pin 44 (see Figure 4). The gear segment 43 engages a rack 45 which is attached to the horizontally arranged ram 48 reciprocably mounted in a casing 41. The ram 46, arranged intermediate the ends of the hollow arm 32 and on one side thereof, is operable to rotate the lifting plunger 25 after it has been elevated. It will be understood that the teeth on the segment 43 and on rack 45 are preferably so elongated as to remain enmeshed even when the lifting plunger 25 is in its lowermost position.

The ram 48 is associated with a cushioning device adapted to cushion the stopping of the ram 48 at the ends of its travel. The ram 45 has piston heads 48 and 49 operating in cylinders 58 and 51 respectively, which are attached to casing 41 in any suitable manner. The ram 46 has an axial bore within which is reciprocably disposed the cushioning valve rod 52 which extends through the ram 48 and beyond the ends of the piston heads 48 and 49.

The ends of the valve rod 52 extends slidably through extremely close fitting guides 53 and 54 formed in the ends of the cylinders 58 and 5| respectively, extending into the cavities 55 and 55 formed in the heads of the cylinders 5|] and BI respectively.

Fixedly carried on the outward ends of the piston heads 48 and 49 are plates 51 and 58 respectively, these plates surrounding the valve rod 52 with constant clearance which is comparable to the clearance existing between the ram 46 and the valve rod 52. These plates 51 and 58 are each formed with a radially extending groove 58 and 58 respectively. which serves to admit the pressure fluid into the pressure cavities GI and 62 formed in the cylinders 58 and 51 respectively, in a manner which will presently appear. The plates 51 and 58 are formed with an annular abutting portion 63 and 54 respectively, which is adapted to abut the inner faces 65 and 88 of the ends of the cylinders 58 and 5 I.

The plates 51 and 58 are each further provided with an annular recess within which is received the floating rings 51 and 58. The floating rings 51 and 58 are held in place by the plates 51 and 58 and allowed to move radially to prevent binding of the valve rod 52 due to any misalignment thereof with the rings 61 and 88 and with guides 53 and 54. The floating rings 51 and S8 slidably engage the surface of the valve rod 52 with an extremely close clearance. whereby the escape of pressure fluid'along the rings toward the middle of the valve rod 52 is prevented.

' This construction is exceedingly reliable and compact, and allows the valve rod 52 to shift readily without having the seal destroyed. It will be understood that the rings 51 and 88 likewise engage the surface of the plates 51 and 58 and of the piston heads 48 and 49 slidably, but with extremely close clearance. I

The valve rod 52 has axial holes 59 and 18 drilled from both ends of the valve rod as viewed in Figure 4, and the ends of the valve rod 52 are machined with slots 1| and 12 respectively connecting with the holes 89 and 18. On the upper end of the valve rod 52 (wit-h respect to Figure 4) toward the inward end of the hole 69 are four radial connecting holes 13, these connecting holes 13 being relatively large in diameter and being adapted to freely connect the bore 59 with the chamber 8! in the cylinder 58. The other end of the valve rod 52 is similarly provided with identical hole 14. Located outwardly from these holes 13 and 14 are a series of iongitudinal spaced connecting holes 15 and 18 re spectively, these holes 15 and 18 being progressively more closely spaced and of progressively smaller diameter as one proceeds outwardly from the holes 13 and 14. These holes 15 and 18 are disposed in a single row on only one side of the valve rod 52, instead of extending in four directions as do the holes 13 and 14, and these holes 15 and 15 likewise communicate with the bores 69 and 18.

The ends of the valve rod 52 are adapted to abut against threaded plugs 11 and 18 which are threadably mounted in the ends of the cylinders 50 and 5! respectively. These plug 11 and 18 are covered by removable end caps 18 and, 88 respectively, which serve to prevent unaustroke of the freely flow through slot 12 in the positions of the plugs, prevent all leakage around the 11 and 1a are so adjusted that when the valve rod 52 abuts against one of them, the slot H or I2 in the other end of the rod 52 is adapted to freely interconnect the conduit l or 82 and the chamber 55 or 56 with th pressure cavity 6! or 82, this being accomplished by having the slots ii and 12 made of such a length that the slots extend into the interior of the chamber Si or 52. This is indicated at the upper portion of Figure 4 in which the slot H has a considerable portion disposed within the chamber Si, and hence is adapted to allow free entry of the pressure fluid from the conduit 8! into the chamber ti where it may act upon the piston head 88 of the ram 56 from the fluid inleti When the valve rod 52 abuts either of the plugs H or it, its slot H or 12 is in non-relationship with the pressur cavity 6! or 52 as is indicated in the lower portion of Figure 4, whereby when the pressure fluid is first admitted, its first action is to move the valve rod 52 axially into engagement with the other plug Ti and I8, this action also serving to bring the slot II or 12 in communication with the chamber 6! or 62,

thereby allowing the pressure fluid to act upon the piston head 68 or (it.

- The device shown in Figures 4 and is furthermore provided with micromatic screws 83 and 8% respectively mounted at each end ofthe cylinders 5b and ti and adapted, if desired, to engage the adjacent piston heads B8 and 49 so as to stop the same. These micromatic screws t3 and 8d allow a micromatic adjustment of the ram $5. In order to prevent undue operation of the micromatic screws 83 and 84 from the outside of the device, protecting caps 85 and 85, similar to the caps 18 and to, cover the outer portion of the micromatic screws 83 and 84, while simultaneously acting as looking nuts.

The stroke of the ram 58 is sufllcient to produce the desired rotation of the vertical lifting plunger 25. After this desired rotation has been accomplished, the finished surface of the annular abutting portion 63 or 6d of the plates 5! and 58 or ram M will be in connection with the finished surface $5 or at respectively on the inward surfaces of cylinder til or 5L The reverse rotation, to the same extent, of the lifting plunger will bring the corresponding surfaces 63 or 6% into connection with the surfaces 65 or 56. Thus, Figure 4 corresponds to a position in which the ram d8 is in one of its end positions and ready for a stroke to bring about a rotation of the lifting plunger 25. Upon completion of the rotation of the lifting plunger 25 by movement of the ram fit toward the conduit Bl, the surface 58 of the plate 5'! will be in corresponding contact with the surface 65 of the cylinder at.

1 Likewise, in Figure 4 the fluid through the conduit 82 will cause rod 52 to move toward the plug- I! and eventually to abut the same, whereupon pressure fluid will into the chamber 62 head 59 to move admission of pressure where it acts upon the piston to move the same away.

the valve the ram 65 toward the suriace 55 of the cylinder 5. As ram e6 approaches the limit of its travel the cushions action will action being more fully described below in connection with the description of the operation of the device. Similar operation will take place when the ram 56 moves in the reverse direction.

Hydraulic and electric control circuit Referring now to Figure 6 diagrammatically illustrating he hydrau ic and electric control circuit in connection with the embodiment of Figures l to 5, the here it (see Figure 2) is connected with a conduit lat leading to a four-way valve itl comprising a valve member (not shown) which is urged into its upper position by means of a spring I32 and is adapted selectively to establish communication oi the conduit I30 with a conduit I33 leading to the pressure side of a take place,

tablish and the conduit I38 leading to a by means of a conduit its. The bore 31 (Figure 2) of the hollow arm 32 communicates with a conduit i39 likewise leading to the four-way valve i3! and adapted selectively to be connected with a conduit Mil branching oil from the conduit 535 or to be connected with the conduit H3. The shaft it! of the valve member of the four-way valve i3! is operatively connected with the armature N2 of an electric relay 3, the terminals of which are connected with the lines I44 and I35, the latter leading to the main supply line M5. The line it leads to a contact M1 spaced from a contact let connected by line 9 with the main supply line 50. The main supply line W0 is connected with a relay coil l5! associated with the armature I52 carrying the switch blades I53 and iSL thelatter of which is adapted to bridge the contacts H1 and M8.

The relay coil i5! is connected on one end with a contact J55 by means of the line lot, and on the other end with a contact I51 by means or the line its. The contact 655 cooperates with the normallyclosed switch I58 connected by the nected with a contact itZ by means of the armature blade use. The contact in is connected by the line W3 with the main supply line I", which latter is connected with a normally open limit switch ltd.

Depending on whether the contacts IN and it? and the contacts it? and 8 are bridged by the blades I58 and ass respectively. and whether the switch W9 is closed or not, relay its will either be energized or de-energized so that pressure fluid enters the hollow arm 32 either through conduit IN or conduit I39 so that the lifting plunger 25 will perform either. an upward stroke or a downward stroke.

A control circuit similar to that just described in connection with the hollow arm 32 is provided for the ram $6 in connection with the cylinders 50 and El. To this end, the conduit Bl (see Figure 4) is connected by means of a conduit I55 with a four-way valve ltB similar to the fourway valve l3l just described. Also in this valve ltd, the valve member (not shown) is continuously urged into its upward position by means of a spring I61 and has its shaft l68 operatively connected with an armature 169 of an electric relay 110.

The terminals of the relay lit are connected by means of the line it! and lit with a contact I13 and main supply line I50 respectively. Associated with the contact I13 is a second contact I14 connected by line I15 with the other main supply line I46. Similar to the control circuit described in connection with the hollow arm 32, the contacts I13 and I14 may be bridged by an armature blade I11 of the armature I18, the relay coil I19 of which is connected by means of line I80 with the main supply line I46, and by means of the line I8I with the contact I82 of a normally closed switch I83 having its other contact connected by line I84 with a contact I85. Associated with the contact I 85 is a contact I86 connected through line I81 with a main supply line I50 and adapted to be connected with the contact I85 by the plate I88 likewise carried by the armature I18.

The relay coil I19 is furthermore connected by line I89 with the contact I90 cooperating with a normally opened switch I 9|, the other contact being connected with the main supply line I50.

As will be clear from the above, the energization and de-energization of the relay I10 will cause the pressure fluid from the pump I34 to pass through the conduit I92 connected with the conduit 82, thereby moving the piston head 48 away from the conduit 82, or will direct the pressure fluid passing through the conduit I65 into the conduit 8|, thereby moving the piston head 49 toward the conduit 82.

The hydraulic circuit shown in Figure 6 furthermore comprises a pressure relief valve I 93 mounted in a conduit I94 connecting the conduits I38 and I35.

Figure 7 shows a portion of the turret having arranged on its periphery a plurality of cam blocks generally designated I95, and comprising three cams I96, I91 and I98. The number of the cam blocks corresponds to the number of the tur ret stations or die receiving member I1. The cams I96, I91 and I98 are so arranged that the cam I96 cooperates with the switch I9I, While the cams I91 and I98 cooperate with the switches I59 and I83 respectively.

Operation In operation, when the pressing plunger approaches the end of its retraction stroke, the limit switch I64 is momentarily closed either manually or automatically, for instance, by means of the pressing platen, so that the circuit through the relay coil II is closed. Current then flows from the main supply line- I46 through switch I64, line I58, relay coil I5I, to the main supply line I50. The energization of the relay coil I5I causes attraction of the armature I52 so that the blade I53 of armature I52 bridges the contacts I6| and I62, while the armature blade I54 bridges the contacts I41 and I48. Since the switch I59 is normally closed, the release of the limit switch I64 will not cause de-energization of the relay coil I5I since the attraction of the armature blade I53 closes the holding circuit for the relay coil |5 I, which holding circuit comprises the main supply line I46, the line I63, contact I62, blade I53, contact I6I, line I60, switch I59, contact I55, line I56, relay coil I5I and main supply line I50. The attraction of the armature blade I54 closes the energizing circuit for the relay I43, said circuit comprising the main supply line I46, line I45, relay I43, line I44, contact I41, blade I54, lin'e I49 and main supply line I50.

The energizationof the relay I43 causes a downward movement of the armature I42 against the thrust of the spring I32, thereby also moving downwardly the shaft I4I pertaining to the valve member of the four-way valve I3I. Downward movement of the valve member pertaining to the four-way valve I 3| establishes communication between the conduit I30 and the conduit I33 connected with the pressure side of the pump I34 by means of the conduit I35, while the conduit I39 then communicates with the conduit I40 connected with the fluid tank I31 by conduits I36 and I38. Consequently, pressure fluid from the pump I 34 passes through the conduit I30 and enters the bore 35 in the hollow arm 32 thereby lifting the lifting plunger 25 which first causes the clutch member 21 to engage with its jaws 28 correspondingly shaped recesses between the jaws 29 of the bearing 20 connected with the turret I4, and thereafter lifts the turret I4 to such an extent that it disengages the holding pin I8. During this lifting movement of the lifting member 25 the fluid expelled by the piston 36 passes through the bore 31, the conduit I39, the fourway valve I3I, conduits I40 and I38 to the tank I31. The lifting movement of the lifting plunger 25 is stopped by the engagement of the stop ring 4| with the step 42.

As soon as the turret I4 has been lifted so as to disengage the holding pin I8, the cam I96 of the cam block I95 causes the switch I9I to engage the contact I thereby closing an electric circuit comprising the main supply line I46, line I 80, relay coil I19, line I89, contact I90, switch I 9| and the main supply line I50. The closure of this circuit causes energization of the relay coil I19 so that the blades I88, I11 respectively, bridge the contacts I85, I86 and the contacts I13, I14. The bridging of the contacts I85, I 86 establishes a holding circuit for the relay coil I19, through the main supply line I46, line I 80, relay coil I19, line I BI, contact I 82, the normally closed switch I83, line I84, contact I85, blade I88, contact I86, line I81 and mainsupply line I50. The bridging of the contacts I13, I14, through the blade I11, closes a circuit comprising the main supply line I46, line I15, contact I14, blade I11, contact I-13, line I1I, relay I10, line I12 and main supply line I50. The closure of this circuit energizes the relay |10 so that its armature I 69, together with the shaft I68 of the valve member pertaining to the four-way valve I66, is moved downwardly against the thrust of the spring I61. This downward movement of the four-way valve I66 establishes communication between the conduit I65 connected with the conduit 8| of the cylinder .50 (see Fig. 4), and the conduit I 38 leading to the fluid tank I 31. The downward movement of the valve member pertaining to the four-way valve I66 also establishes communication between the conduit I92 leading to the conduit 82 of the cylinder 5| and the conduit I35 leading to the pressure side of the pump I34.

Fluid pressure from the pump I34 admitted to the conduit 82 and the cavity 56 causes the valve rod 52 to move toward the conduit 9| until it contacts the plug 11. When this movement of the valve rod 52 has been completed, the slot 12 in' the valve rod 52 will have passed partly through the close fitting guide 54 so that fluid. under pressure, can pass from the chamber 56 through the slot 12 into the chamber 62 in cylinder 5|, thus applying pressure upon the piston head 49. This pressure will cause the ram 46 to move toward the conduit 8| in the cylinder 50, displacing fluid from the chamber 6| in the cylinder 50, through the holes 13 and 1.5, through the bore 69, through slot 1| into the chamber 55 tion of the relay I18 so and out through the conduit 8|, the conduit I85, the four-way valve I88 and the conduit I38, into the fluid tank I31.

As the ram 48 moves well toward the conduit 8| the ring 81 covers up the relatively large radial holes 13 in the valve rod 52, thereby producing a reduction in the discharge area and a throttling of the fluid discharged from the chamber 8|. When the ram 48 continues in its movement toward the conduit 8|, the ring 81 covers up the holes 15, one after another, thereby gradually still further increasing the throttling effect on the discharge of the fluid. This progressing throttling effect slows up the movement of the ram 48 toward the conduit 8| and continues until the ring 81 has Just covered the outwardmost hole 15, at which point the ram has substantially stopped, in which the annular abutting portion 83 is abutted in relation with the face '85 of the cylinder 58. 1

Due to the fact that the rack 45, meshing with the gear segment 43, is connected with the ram 48, the movement mined angle, while slowing down this rotating movement when the turret I4 approaches its new position. When this position is reached cam I91 of the next cam block I95 opens the switch I59 thereby interrupting the holding circuit for the relay coil II.

Consequently, relay I53 is de-energized and the spring I32 returns the valve member of the fourway valve I3I to its upper position, thereby effecting communication of the conduit I39, leading to the bore 31 in the hollow arm 32, with the conduits I33 and I35 leading to the pressure side of the pump I34. Thus, fluid pressure from the pump I34 enters the cylinder bore 33 (see Fig.- 2) through the bore 31 and, acting upon the retrac-' tion side of piston 38, moves the latter downwardly, thereby lowering the turret I4 so as to seat v.the same upon the bed II and holding the turret in its position by engagement with the holding pin I8. Fluid expelled by the piston 38 during its downward movement passes through the conduit I38, the four-way valve I3I and the conduits I38, I38, into the fluid tank I31. As will be seen from Figure 2, illustrating this position, the clutch member. 28 has then disengaged the corresponding recesses in the bearing 20.

As soon as the lifting plunger 25 has moved downwardly to such an extent that the clutch member 28 is disengaged from the bearing 28, the cam I98 engages the switch I83 and opens the same, thereby breaking the holding circuit for the relay coil I19. This causes the de-energizathat the spring I 81 of the four-way valve I88 lifts the valve member pertaining to the four-way valve I88 to its upper position.

This upward movement of the valve member of the four-way valve I 88 establishes communication between the conduit I85, leading to bore 8| (see Figure 4), and the conduit I35 leading to the pressure side of the pump I34. Consequently, pressure fluid from the pump I34 entering the bore 8| and chamber 55-wlll cause the valve rod 52 to move toward the plug 12 until it engages the latter. When this movement has been effected, fluid from the chamber 55 passes through the slot II into the chamber 8| where it acts upon piston head 48 and, in a manner similar to that previously described, causes the ram 48 to move toward the conduit 82.

Similarly, as described in connection with the reversed movement of the ram 48, the holes 18 are of the ram 48, as just described,- has rotated the lifting plunger 25 by a predeter- I head 49 passes through the conduit 58, the consequentially covered so that the movement of the ram 48 is gradually slowed down when the ram 88 approaches the, end of its movement. The said movement of the ram 48 is completed when the annular abutting portion 84 engages the inner face 88 of the cylinder 5|. During this movement of the ram 48, fluid expelled by the piston duit I92, the four-way valve I88 and the conduits I99 and I38 into the fluid tank I31. The movement of the ram 48, just described, causes the rack 45 to rotate the gear segment 43 in a direction reverse to that previously described so that at the end of this rotation the lifting plunger 25, in addition to being returned to its lower position, is also returned to its initial annular position, so as to be ready for another indexing or rotating movement of the turret.

Summary of operation the cylinder-piston-assembly 33, 38 (Figure 2),

so as to lift the turret I4-by means of the piston 38. The lifting movement of the turret causes cam I96 on the turret to close switch I9I (Figure 6), thereby supplying fluid from the pump I34 to the bore 82 (Figure 4), and causing the ram 48 to perform one stroke.

This movement of the said ram is transferred by the rack 44 and the gear segment meshing therewith to the piston 38 so as to rotate the same together with the turret connected therewith by means of the clutch members 28, 29. In this way the turret is rotated by a predetermined angle, depending on the length of the-stroke of the ram 48. This rotative movement is slowed down at the end thereof by the gradual closing of the bores 13, 15. At the end of this rotating movement of the turret. the switch I59 is opened so that the supply of pressure fluid to the piston 38 is reversed, resulting in a lowering of said piston and disengagement of the clutch member 21 from the turret, thereby re-seating the turret on the press bed. In this position the turret opens, by means of the cam I98, the switch I83 causing a reverse movement of the ram 48 which results in a reverse rotation of the piston 38 so as to return said piston to its initial position.

It will be understood that hend within my invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claims and the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A press comprising in combination a reciprocable press ram, a press bed, a rotatable support carried on said bed, said support being provided with a plurality of die receiving means and being operable to successively move said die receiving means into alignment with said press ram, 9. fluid operable plunger having its axis in alignment with the axis of rotation of said support and being operable selectively to lift said support off or to seat said support upon said bed, means responsive to movement of said plunger in lifting direction for rotatably connecting said plunger and said support, fluid operable means operatively connected with said plunger for rotating the same by a predetermined angle, and means responsive to a predetermined lifting movement of said plunger for making said fluid I desire to compreoperable means effective, thereby causing one of said die receiving means to move out of alignment with said ram, while the next following die receiving means moves into alignment with said ram.

2. A press comprising in combination a press bed, a support carried on said bed and being rotatable successively from one indexing position to another indexing position, said support being adapted to receive a plurality of dies, a hydraulic cylinder-piston-assembly with the longitudinal axis thereof in alignment with the axis of rotation of said support, one element of said cylinder-piston-assembly being operable to lift said support oif said bed, a, reciprocable fluid operable plunger in continuous driving connection with said element and operable selectively to rotate the same by a predetermined angle, means associated with said element and responsive to a predetermined lifting movement thereof for rotatably interconnecting said element and said support, and means associated with said plunger for slowing down the movement of said plunger when the latter approaches the end of a stroke to slow down the rotative movement of said support when the latter approaches a new indexing position.

3. A press comprising a rotatable support for supporting a plurality of dies, a press bed for supporting said rotatable support, a first fluid operable cylinder-piston-assembly with the longitudinal axis thereof in alignment with the axis of rotation of said support, said cylinder-pistonassembly including an element operable selectively to lift said support oil or to seat the same upon said bed, a second fluid operable cylinderpiston-assembly having a reciprocable member arranged in continuous driving connection with said element for selectively rotating the same by a predetermined angle alternately in one and the opposite direction, and means associated with said element and operable in response to a predetermined lifting movement of said element for rotatably connecting said element with said support, and also operable to interrupt said last mentioned connection between said element and said support in response to a predetermined seating movement of said element.

4. In a press, a press head, a press bed, spacer means spacing said press head and press bed, a pressing plunger reciprocably mounted in said press head, a rotatable support carried on said bedand arranged between said spacer means for receiving a plurality of dies and successively bringing the same into alignment with said plunger, a reciprocable member operable selectively to lift said rotatable support ofl or to seat the same upon said press bed, connecting means associated with said reciprocable member and responsive to a predetermined stroke of saidreciprocable member in lifting direction for rotatably connecting said member with said support, a hydraulic motor rotatably engaging said reciprocable member for rotating said member by a predetermined angle, thereby moving said support; from a first indexing position to a second indexing position, means responsive to the arrival of said support in said second indexing position for initiating the seating movement of said reciprocable member and thereby actuating said connecting means so as to interrupt the driving connection between said member and said support, and means responsive to said re-seating movement for reversing said motor, while maintaining said motor in driving engagement with said reciprocable member to return the latter to its initial position.

5. In a press, a press bed, a rotatable support normally seated on said press bed for receiving a plurality or dies, a hydraulically operable ram operable selectively to lift said support off or re-seat it on said press bed, a second fluid operable ram, 8. gear system constantly interconnecting said first ram and said second ram for effecting rotation of said first ram in opposite directions, and means responsive to the movement of said first mentioned ram in one direction for effecting driving connection between said first ram and said support, and responsive to the movement of said first ram in the opposite direction for interrupting said driving connection.

6. In a press, a vertically reciprocable turret adapted to be rotated from one station to another station, fluid operable means for effecting said reciprocating movement of said turret, hydraulic means adapted to rotate said turret and to slow down its movement when it approaches a new step, and electric means responsive to said reciprocating movement of said turret for controlling the direction of operation of said hydraulic means.

'I. A hydraulic press comprising in combination a press bed, a press ram, 9. support for a plurality of dies normally seated on said press bed, a reciprocable and rotatable plunger operable to lift said support oiT said bed, clutch means associated with said plunger and responsive to the lifting movement of said plunger for rotatably connecting the same with said support, hydraulic means continuously in driving engagement with said plunger for rotating said support by a predetermined angle to successively bring said dies into alignment with said ram, said hydraulic means comprising slow-down means for slowing down said support at the end of its rotative movement, and means responsive to the rotation of said support by said predetermined angle for retracting said plunger to re-seat said support on said bed and to disconnect said support from said clutch means.

8. A press comprising in combination a rotatable turret for receiving a plurality oi dies, a support for said turret, hydraulically reciprocable plunger means operable selectively to engage and lift said turret oil or re-seat said turret on said support and disengage said turret, said plunger means comprising a clutch element for engagement with a clutch element on said turret, and a fluid operable cylinder-piston-assembly in constant driving engagement with said plunger means for rotating said hydraulically reciprocable plunger means selectively in one direction or the other direction.

9. In combination in a press, a rotatable and reciprocable turret for receiving a plurality oi. dies, 9. support for said turret normally engaging said turret, a pair of hydraulically operable pistons arranged in cylinders normal to one another, one of said pistons being arranged for selectively lifting said turret off and re-seating the same upon its support, and having gear means associated therewith and constantly meshing with gear means on the other piston, said last mentioned gear means being reciprocable by reciprocation of the said last mentioned piston to alternately rotate said first mentioned piston in on and the opposite direction by a predetermined angle, means responsive to the lifting movement of said first mentioned piston for rotatably connecting said first mentioned piston said second piston and operable by the latter so,

with said turret, and means to cushion the movement of rotation of said first mentioned piston and thereby of said turret at the end of said rotative movement.

10. In combination in a press, a pair of hydraulically operated pistons arranged in cylinders mounted angularly with respect to each other, means on one piston for rotating the other piston by the reciprocation of the first piston, means for reciprocating the second piston so rotated, a rotatable turret for receiving a plurality of dies, means for selectively rotatably connecting said turret with or disconnecting it from said second piston, and fluid throttling means associated with said first piston for slowing down said turret at the end of its rotating movement.

11. In a press, a press bed, a turret for receiving a plurality of dies, said turret being rotatable relative to said bed, a first hydraulically operable piston for selectively lifting said turret on or seating it upon said bed, means for rotatably connecting said first piston with said tur-.

ret, a second hydraulically operable piston operatively connected with said first piston for rotating said first piston and said turret by a,- predetermined angle when performing one stroke, adjusting means associated with said second piston for micromatically adjusting the length of the stroke of the second piston, and slow-down means associated with said second piston for automatically slowing down said turret at the end of its angular movement.

12. In a press comprising a turret for receiving a plurality of dies, a support for supporting said turret during the pressing operation, a first hydraulically operable piston for selectively lifting said turret off and reseating it upon said support, means for rotatably connecting said first piston with said turret, a second hydraulically operable piston operatively connected with said first piston for rotating said first piston and said turret by a predetermined angle whenperforming one stroke, slow-down means associated with said second piston for slowing down the turret at the end of its angular movement, and electric relay means controlled by said turret for controlling the supply of fluid acting upon said pistons.

13. In a press, a press bed, a reciprocable and rotatable turret for receiving a plurality of dies, said turret being supported by said press bed during the pressing operation, a first hydraulically operable piston for selectively lifting said turret from, or seating said turret on said press bed, means associated with said first piston and said turret for rotatably connecting said turret and said first piston to each other, a second hydraulically operable piston, a gear mechanism constantly interconnecting said first piston and as to rotate said first piston and said turret by an angle depending upon the length of the stroke of said second piston, an electric circuit comprising relay means for controlling the supply of fluid to said first and second pistons, said rev lay means being arranged in an electric circuit 1 adapted to be closed for starting the indexing movement of said turret, and a plurality oi. switches arranged in said circuit and controlled by movement of said turret for controlling said circuits.

14. In a press, a press-bed, a rotatable and vertically reciprocable turret for receiving a plurality of dies, said turret being seated on said press bed during the pressing operation, a plurality of cam blocks carried by said turret and corresponding in number to the number of dies adapted to be received by said turret, first hydraulically operable means for lifting said turret off said press bed, connecting means for rotatably connecting said first hydraulically opera able means with said turret so as to rotate the same when said first hydraulically operable means in rotated, second hydraulically operable means for rotating said first hydraulically operable means by a predetermined angle, slow-down means associated with said second hydraulically operable means for slowing down the said turret at the end of its rotation, an electric circuit comprising relay means for controlling supply of pressure fiuid to said first and second hydraulically operable means, and switch means provided in said electric circuit and controlled by said cam blocks for controlling the energization or deenergization of said relays. v

15. In a press, a press bed, a turret normally supported by said press bed and adapted to receive a plurality of dies, a first hydraulically operable piston for selectively lifting said turret off said bed and re-seating said turret on said bed, a second fiuid operable piston connected with said first piston for selectively rotating said first piston in one direction or the other, means for rotatably connecting said turret to said first piston in response to the lifting movement of said first piston and for disconnecting said turret from said first piston in response to the re-seating movement of said first piston, hydraulic cushioning means associated with said second piston for cushioning the turret at the end of its rotation through a predetermined angle, controlling means carried by said turret, and electric means for operation by said controlling means during the rotation of said turret for controlling the movement of said pistons.

WARREN R. TUCKER. 

